Living will: A living will is a legal document that details your wishes for medical treatments and life-sustaining measures if you’re terminally ill or permanently unconscious. It specifies your choices for treatments like resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, and tube feeding.
Durable power of attorney for healthcare: A durable power of attorney for healthcare appoints someone to make medical decisions for you if you become incapacitated. Unlike a general power of attorney, it focuses only on healthcare decisions, allowing your chosen person to act according to your wishes.
Do not resuscitate (DNR) order: A DNR order is a medical order written by a doctor that instructs healthcare providers not to perform CPR if your heart stops or you stop breathing. This form is important for individuals who do not wish to undergo aggressive resuscitation efforts in the event of a cardiac or respiratory arrest.
Physician orders for life-sustaining treatment (POLST): The POLST form complements a living will by translating your end-of-life care preferences into medical orders. It is particularly useful for those with serious illnesses because it helps ensure that emergency medical personnel and healthcare providers follow your treatment preferences across different care settings.
HIPAA authorization form: This form lets you specify who can access your medical information. It is important for allowing your healthcare proxy and other trusted individuals to communicate with your healthcare providers and make informed decisions for you.